Hardwick Clothes launches e-commerce site, picks new CEO

July 28th, 2014by Ellis Smith in Local - Breaking News

Karen Brown arranges a blazer on a form pressing machine at Hardwick Clothes. The company was recently purchased by Cleveland, Tenn. businessman Allan Jones, who plans to turn the struggling suitmaker around within a year.

Photo by
Ellis Smith/Times Free Press.

A screenshot of Hardwick.com

Hardwick Clothes announced today it is launching Hardwick.com, a new e-commerce site for America's oldest tailored clothing maker.

The website is part of Hardwick's rebirth from bankruptcy and included an announcement today of Bruce Bellusci as the company's new chief operating officer.

Bellusci, who along with new clothing designer Jeffery Diduch comes to Hardwick by way of Chicago-based Hart Schaffner Marx, pledged not just to make a few upgrades at the Cleveland, Tenn.-based clothier, but to transform Hardwick into a top-tier American clothing label with the help of new owner Allan Jones.

"Hardwick has been through two fires, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and leisure suits," Jones said in a statement today. "This website will ensure that Hardwick's legacy and reliability extend far into the future. It also enables us to tell the impressive story of a great American company and, with the rebranding of the Hardwick label, the new and exciting opportunities it will create with our retail partners."

Hardwick.com will include access through mobile phones, tablets, and desktops. The online store will feature suit separates, blazers, sport coats, and dress pants, including big and tall sizes and, later in the year, women's business wear.

"This website marks a new era in the history of Hardwick Clothes," said Jim Park, the company's vice-president of sales. "Hardwick's future will be a tribute to, and a continuation of, Hardwick's legacy as an all-American clothes manufacturer."